2. Newburgh (6-1): In a blowout win over Warwick last week, it was just too much of the Killer D's - Donovan (Fields) (Anthony) Dubose and (Natore) Dennis.

3. Pine Bush (4-3): I posted it on Twitter last week and I will say it again: Still can't believe that RB Mike Martin isn't getting more college looks. And, no, I don't double as his agent.

4. Warwick (5-2): Warwick, which hasn't lost to Valley Central since 1988, would clinch the Class AA Division II regular-season title with a win over the Vikings on Friday. That would set up, gasp, a rematch with the Killer D's.

5. Cornwall (6-1): QB Mike White and WR Chris Bauer got all the attention last week, connecting for five touchdowns against Saugerties, but give a game ball to another retooled Cornwall offensive line that is getting the job done.

6. Marlboro (7-0): Last week in my Friday picks, I pondered whether Marlboro, a Class B power, could win Class A. The Iron Dukes beat slumping Roosevelt, an A school, by only a touchdown last week. Typical J-Rod.

7. Wallkill (4-3): After watching White throw five touchdowns to Bauer last Saturday, Saugerties doesn't get a break. Up next? The Sawyers face gunner Wallkill quarterback Joe Pillitteri and his posse of dangerous receivers this week.

8. Highland (6-1): Highland vs. Marlboro, a classic Section 9 rivalry, is called the Black (Marlboro color) and Blue (Highland color) Bowl. Of course, it's also how they want to leave the opponent.

9. Rondout Valley (6-1): I admit I've been wrong about the Ganders. This is RV's debut in the rankings, but it should have happened already.

10. Port Jervis (4-3): During its three-game win streak, Port Jervis has allowed an average of just 9.3 points per game.

2. Chester (5-1): Chester fans might at least want to inquire about hotel reservations in Syracuse on the day after Thanksgiving. Of course, that's where and when the state Class D championship is played.

3. Burke Catholic (6-1): Goshen just handed Burke Catholic the win last week. Easy, now, that's a joke. On its Twitter feed, Burke Catholic's football account voiced displeasure with a Times Herald-Record headline for the game. Let's be clear: BC earned the 32-7 win over its crosstown rival and is as hot as any Section 9 team.

4. James I. O'Neill (4-3): The Raiders are seemingly fading, but they still hold the label everyone wants: Section 9 Class C champions.

5. Liberty (4-3): Liberty gets Burke Catholic on Saturday and again next week in the Class C playoff semifinals. Translation: It could be two and out, season over, for Liberty.

Justin Rodriguez

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When Wallkill coach Brian Vegliando told quarterback Joe Pillitteri before the season that the Panthers would pass more, let's just say the signal caller didn't resist.

Like any other confident quarterback, Pillitteri was all in, ready to let the pigskin fly. He's aired it out this fall and is closing in on the Section 9 record for passing yards in a season. Pillitteri, a senior, has thrown for 2,170 yards and needs 585 to break John Garcia's record of 2,754 set in 2011 for Warwick.

"When I heard we were going to throw the ball around more this season, it was exciting," said Pillitteri, a second-year starter who has completed 134-of-225 passes, with 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions. "It was a great opportunity. I think it brought a little pressure, but it feels good to have this kind of success and help the team. To break the record, honestly, it would be great. But my main goal is to get to the Section 9 (Class A championship)."

With four legitimate targets — Nick Gomez, Brandon Purdy, Sean Puleo and Nick Rohl — Vegliando decided to pass more. Gomez leads the "Panther Pack" with 628 yards and five touchdowns. Puleo and Purdy each has four touchdown receptions and Rohl has three.

Pillitteri is averaging 303 passing yards per game and he will have at least two games in which to break Garcia's record. Wallkill (4-3) will wrap up the regular season with a Class A game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Saugerties. Cornwall quarterback Mike White threw five touchdown passes to Chris Bauer last Saturday against Saugerties, before exiting the game at halftime with 204 yards passing. Wallkill has also qualified for the Section 9 Class A semifinals.

"Obviously, Joe is in command of the offense," Vegliando said. "He knows the reads, he knows what to look for, being a second-year starter. Joe's obviously lived up to my expectations. Everybody in the program is worried about team goals, but within the context of that, if you can break a record, it's a nice individual feat. That's the best thing about Joe. He likes to throw the ball a lot, he's competitive, but he knows we're going to do what's best to win the game."